Through a Format Darkly

I propose to discuss how the compact disc’s (perhaps) successor, the Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD), sounds not at its full-fledged best but rather in terms of its compatibility via a two-channel, CD-only system.

Through a Format Darkly

I propose to discuss how the compact disc’s (perhaps) successor, the Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD), sounds not at its full-fledged best but rather in terms of its compatibility via a two-channel, CD-only system.

Tales of Two Cultures: Hashimoto and Hosokawa

Although they both studied in Europe, the two men were exposed to different educational missions. Hashimoto would assimilate himself into the Western aesthetic, whereas Hosokawa’s European teachers encouraged him to consider his identity and culture.

Tales of Two Cultures: Hashimoto and Hosokawa

Although they both studied in Europe, the two men were exposed to different educational missions. Hashimoto would assimilate himself into the Western aesthetic, whereas Hosokawa’s European teachers encouraged him to consider his identity and culture.

Four Symphonies: Reduced, Amplified, Completed and Unnecessary

One needs but a moment to get used to the intimate café texture whose Viennese litheness underscores the exquisite Schubertian opening dip.

Four Symphonies: Reduced, Amplified, Completed and Unnecessary

One needs but a moment to get used to the intimate café texture whose Viennese litheness underscores the exquisite Schubertian opening dip.

Random Noise 3: The Bittersweet Spot

If you cohabit with a lower-case stereophile, you are accustomed to said specimen slouching about the premises with a pinched and earnest look. One never knows, he might even be you.

Random Noise 3: The Bittersweet Spot

If you cohabit with a lower-case stereophile, you are accustomed to said specimen slouching about the premises with a pinched and earnest look. One never knows, he might even be you.

Random Noise 2

Russia and the USA, Shostakovich and Feldman

Random Noise 2

Russia and the USA, Shostakovich and Feldman

Luc Ferrari, Head and Tail

EMF has reissued seven early pieces, frenetic gems of musique concrète, and Blue Chopsticks presents a new work, Cycle des Souvenirs, an ambiguous and inviting panorama.

Luc Ferrari, Head and Tail

EMF has reissued seven early pieces, frenetic gems of musique concrète, and Blue Chopsticks presents a new work, Cycle des Souvenirs, an ambiguous and inviting panorama.

Mozart’s Rondo in A minor, K.V. 511

A melancholy dance of childlike hearts, delicate steps that shimmer even as they brood — to ask an eternal question, then listen as Mozart answers in cascades of pearls.

Mozart’s Rondo in A minor, K.V. 511

A melancholy dance of childlike hearts, delicate steps that shimmer even as they brood — to ask an eternal question, then listen as Mozart answers in cascades of pearls.

Random Noise 1: Anouar Brahem on ECM

…when people ask me what I do, I tell them that I write about music nobody wants to listen to.

Random Noise 1: Anouar Brahem on ECM

…when people ask me what I do, I tell them that I write about music nobody wants to listen to.

A Dernier CRI, Slices of Cantaloupe, and Schlag from Vienna Modern Masters

This is one of CRI’s most persuasive releases and also one of its last.

A Dernier CRI, Slices of Cantaloupe, and Schlag from Vienna Modern Masters

This is one of CRI’s most persuasive releases and also one of its last.

Florence Foster Jenkins & Friends on Naxos

Like a hyena caught in a washing machine! It sets all my commemorative plates a-rattle. Her intonation has the accuracy of toddlers solving quadratic equations.

Florence Foster Jenkins & Friends on Naxos

Like a hyena caught in a washing machine! It sets all my commemorative plates a-rattle. Her intonation has the accuracy of toddlers solving quadratic equations.

Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and I

In December of 1808, Beethoven led an amateur group in the premiere of his Choral Fantasy for piano, chorus, and orchestra, Op. 80. They say he improvised the Introduction in performance and only later wrote it down.

Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and I

In December of 1808, Beethoven led an amateur group in the premiere of his Choral Fantasy for piano, chorus, and orchestra, Op. 80. They say he improvised the Introduction in performance and only later wrote it down.

Göteborg’s Latest Duo, and Others

The two most illustrious Hamburg pupils of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck share these dazzling demonstration CDs of the amazing variety of colors of the North German Hanseatic organ in the Örgryte nya kyrka at Göteborg.

Göteborg’s Latest Duo, and Others

The two most illustrious Hamburg pupils of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck share these dazzling demonstration CDs of the amazing variety of colors of the North German Hanseatic organ in the Örgryte nya kyrka at Göteborg.